Laughter has both mental emotional and physiological benefits depending on the type of laughter being spontaneous or self induced.
I am closing the videos with one of my favorite people that is an inspiration...Patch Adams.
What/who do you like to laugh to?

Fires here in the Northwest and the whole West coast has made for an interesting summer. My gratitude goes to those who are working the fires.

Our health is being challenged due to particles that are small enough to get deep into lungs and cross from the alveolar sacs to the blood. PM stands for particulate matter. PM2.5  are the particles that are making it hazy out. 

• How small is 2.5 micrometers (microns= 0.000001 meter)? Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter – making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.

External Protection: A mask that can block this would be a great move.
Understanding the mask decriptions. I went to buy a mask this morning just knowing the PM2.5 number There was only one left at $40 and I hadn't done any online research to see what the description meant, so I have included below these below. No, I didnt get that one it just seemed to be too big for more purposes than just this. I also didnt choose disposables as the fit is harder to get a good seal.
Respirator Rating Letter Class

• N - Not oil resistant
• R - Resistant to oil
• P - Oil Proof

Respirator Rating Number Class

• 95 - Removes 95% of all particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter
• 99 - Removes 99% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in diameter
• 100 - Removes 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. HE or HEPA quality filter. So this to me seems the best as 2.5 microns>0.3 microns. We are ordinarily subjected to a lot of environmental issues so during this extra-ordinary time if we can keep our extra exposures minimalized this would be best for our health.

The fit
Straps need to go around head for a good fit to be firm around the mouth and nose to make sure that there is a good seal and all air goes through the filters and not around it. ones that go around the ears do not make a good seal.
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Internal healing 
Between the Vancouver, BC fires we have been subjected to this smoke for what feels like weeks. How can we heal from all of this?
Qigong- movements and visualizations that help you mobilize and focus your immune system

Moving your lymph, Yes this is cardio, it is trampoline activity, Chi machine, Lymph Drainage Therapy all help. Lymph is a separate system from arterial and venous blood flow it helps move larger molecules that are in your tissues back to your circulatory system.
Sounds can help our immune function properly function through vibrations that cause organs to vibrate (massage) through resonance or the nervous or immune systems to function better, as we are just more relaxed allowing the parasympathetic system to to do it's work, I found the 2 videos below and the frequencies relaxing and was able to take full breaths within minutes of continued listening to them. I invite to test them for yourselves. Headphones or a soundbath being between 2 stereo speakers will enhance your experience. The first one is my favorite.

Increasing your water intake, increasing vitamin D3, and anti-oxidants is important. More information on herbs and vitamins lifestyle suggestions can be found here: Bear medicinal herbals.

References​
https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics
Choosing a mask: 
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/resources/dust-masks-whats-the-difference.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/334-353.pdf​

Dr. Axe has published a list of sunscreens that are healthier than others. 
Please checkout his page: ​https://draxe.com/best-sunscreens/

Across the last couple of weeks, I have cringed when patients have commented that they have been slathering on the sun screen as they are gardening and playing in our glorious furnace days of summer.  I was remembering the study that showed that the majority of sunscreens were toxic. That study was released 3 years ago. With only remembering that they contained chemicals that were incompatible with our well being thus our long term health.
Dermal exposure of chemicals can result in systemic toxicity influencing our susceptibility to other disease and and even allergic reactions and energy levels. Remember that a toxic load keeps the inflammation process activated.

The Chemicals to Check your sunscreen for:

• oxybenzone
• avobenzone
• octisalate
• octocrylene
• homosalate
• octinoxate.

​
Hey better living through chemistry, right? Not!
Some questions to ask:
Does a chemical influence hormones, immune function, is it disruptive to the liver or kidneys or other organs as it gets broken down or passes through your system or stays in your blood? How will chemicals effect pregnant woman and children. How will it effect fertility? 
According to the EWG research the above chemicals are estrogenic, may disrupt the thyroid, as well as other endocrine glands. Oxybenzone is major endocrine disruptor messing with sperm count and endometriosis.
There are a variety of brands that may be safe. These lists are available on the wellnessmama.com link as well as the EWG site. We also have to ask who is paying for us to be able to get this information and how it might be biased. Wellness mama also has a link on that page that is a recipe for making your own sunscreen and she states if you wouldn't eat it don't put on your skin and I completely agree with this.

The EWG makes the following suggestions on what you can do to protect yourself from sun damage.

Check your skin regularly for new moles that are tender or growing. Ask your primary care doctor how often you should see a dermatologist.
The best defenses against getting too much harmful UV radiation are protective clothing, shade and timing.

• Don’t get burned. Red, sore, blistered or peeling skin means far too much sun – and raises your skin cancer risk.
• Wear clothes. Shirts, hats, shorts and pants provide the best protection from UV rays – and they don’t coat your skin with goop.
• Find shade – or make it. Picnic under a tree, read beneath an umbrella or take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade – they lack the tanning pigments, known as melanin, that protect skin.
• Plan around the sun. Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is lower. UV radiation peaks at midday.
• Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory. Good shades protect your eyes from UV radiation that causes cataracts.

Sunglasses? I am not sure that I agree with this, an article for another time.

References:

1. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/environmental-toxins/chlorine-free-swimming-pools/
   
2. https://bestwaterpurificationblog.com/the-health-effects-of-chloramine-and-how-to-remove-it/
3. https://chlorine.americanchemistry.com/Science-Center/Chlorine-Compound-of-the-Month-Library/Chloramines-Understanding-Pool-Smell/
4. https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chloramines-drinking-water
5. https://www.emdmillipore.com/Web-US-Site/en_CA/-/USD/ProcessMSDS-Start?PlainSKU=MDA_CHEM-101632&Origin=PDP
6. http://www.chloramine.org/chloraminefacts.htm

Actually, I have been going since last July. I am renting spaces at the two Cascade Acupuncture Clinics in Hood River and The Dalles during closed hours offering my services in light touch techniques to help both CAC patients and others. This is primarily Time of Service, HSA,,  auto accident. Super Bills can be offered to those that have massage benefits for those that would like to self file insurance.
​Also appearing here shortly will be the facebook posts that I share on my business page. The facebook link is in the footer below.